The Friends of Unity Blog Hop ~ March 2022

Hi and welcome! I am excited to share my cards with you this month. I was challenged with this theme of kraft, black and white. Limited to a “colorless” card made me want to use color! I had to think about technique and design. I love black and white because of the sharp contrast, but adding kraft threw me a bit of a curve ball…. and the funny part is that I love kraft too!

Card #1 ~ Good Times

This card reminds me of a dance party where these two are getting to know each other. I thought it might be fun to use the 2nd generation technique where an image is inked once and stamped repeatedly without reinking.
To create this card I stamped the man and woman silhouette images with Hero Hues unicorn kraft ink. Next the images can be stamped immediately on the base without reinking. (For this card, I actually reinked the images and stamped on a separate scrap once to throw out the darkest. I did this because I wanted to place the original images exactly where I wanted them and inadvertently cleaned off the ink to do this.) Then I stamped the sentiment, cut it into two, and added a very thin border of kraft. I glued them at an angle to create a sense of movement. Finally I added iridescent sequins.
A thin accent of kraft bordering the sentiment.
“Your My Happy” Layers of Life by Unity Stamp Company
The second man is tilted forward a bit. This was unplanned and I was going to start over but decided it adds interest and breaks up the repeated lines!

Card #2 ~ A Beautiful Birthday

This card is traditional. A beautiful floral image does not need a whole lot. I love that it is a corner image and so large as if it is blooming in front of our eyes!
To create this card I stamped the floral image on white cardstock. Next I framed it on black paper. Then I adhered it to the kraft card base. I embossed the sentiment in white on black and popped it up with dimensionals. Finally I tied a bow with two lengths of burlap string and added a clear jewel embellishment.

A close-up. I love the detail of this floral image.
“Wildflower” Corner by Unity Stamp Company
Black and white cards are sharp and bold with the contrast. Kraft adds a touch of an organic natural element.

Card #3 ~ Those were the days!

This card is inspired by vintage photographs. I took a summer scene and turned it into a cloudy evening for something different, unique and interesting!
To create this card I stamped the image in Versamark Ink and heat embossed it with clear embossing powder. Next I ink blended Hero Hues unicorn kraft ink over the top. Then I die cut the image to give it a torn look and framed it up with white and kraft. Finally I used one layer of burlap string and placed the bow on the lower portion of the card for balance. I also went over the figures with a black marker to make the images stand out.
“Good Day Sun Shine” by Authentique Paper for Unity Stamp Company
A look at the children close up. It was fun experimenting with how much white ink to leave or to wipe away.
A mix of past and present. I love this sentiment with two fonts, I only used half because the other part reads “sun shine” and I didn’t feel this card displayed that kind of a day. We can leave that up to the viewer to decide!

Card #4 ~ Typewritten love and friendship

This typewriter is amazing and has so many possibilities. I love the size and the detailed lines.
To create this card I stamped the image with Versafine ink on kraft. Next I stamped the sentiment in the middle of the card with Versamark ink. Then I sprinkled white embossing powder over the sentiment and let it go over onto the image. Versafine ink can be used for embossing, I often forget! I might have forgotten on this card….happy accident! Then I ink blended black soot around the edge of the card and painted a shadow for the typewriter. Finally I stamped the sentiment at the top in black and saved the last word for the lower right corner. I also added a clear bubble embellishment to finish the card.
“Our Blooming Story” by Angie Blom for Unity Stamp Company
This sentiment might be difficult to read. I love the effect! I separated the sentiment and stamped at top and bottom in black.
This image is really large and I just love the flowers popping out of the top of the vintage typewriter!
Supplies I used. I put them all together in one frame because the items I used to create overlapped and repeated for most of the cards.
My cards for this month. Kraft, Black and White.

I hope you found some new and fun ideas to try out with this color scheme. Please comment below and hop along with our Friends of Unity! I will choose one person to receive a thank you prize for joining us! The winner will be announced at next month’s hop.

Crystal

Eileen

Rachel (me)

April

Colleen

Dawn F.

Amber

Kim

Joyce

Dawn B.

Alaine

Robyn

And now to announce the winner for February, Amanda Rhodes! Congratulations Amanda! Please message me your mailing address and I will get your prize in the mail! Thank you so much for participating, we appreciate you!

As this hop comes to a close, our hearts are heavy with the atrocities taking place in Ukraine. There are no words to express the sadness I am feeling. This card is to show I stand with Ukraine. Please stay strong, I hope for peace…

Thanks for hopping! See you next month. Keep creating beautiful pieces of art.

Rachel

Please check out my short videos on Instagram and TikTok @cardartbyrachel.

31 thoughts on “The Friends of Unity Blog Hop ~ March 2022

  1. Wow! What fantastic cards! I love all of them! Thank you for sharing the various techniques you’ve used.

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  2. Beautiful cards and so much creativity. I’ve never seen that little Itty Bitty stamp and I just love it! Thanks for all of the inspiration.

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  3. ZOWIE…. I LOVE THESE CARDS. I was struggling for an idea for a lady who sews, who gave me a stamp that looks like an old pattern cover. Every idea I try… landfill…. BOOM !!!!! this is IT. I, and she, loves vintage. Excited beyond now.. THANK YOU for the inspiration. Swoon!

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  4. Amazing cards, Rachel! I love the second generation stamping on the first card… it looks like the guy is walking towards her how the middle silhouette is leaning. Your second card is beautiful and perfect for a quick birthday card… definitely casing that one!! I adore your second card and I’ve never seen that Itty Bitty… adding it to my wishlist!! Now, your fourth card is a happy accident of perfection… so amazing the texture that the white embossing adds to the typewriter! Love it!!! And I truly love your #cardforukraine! So beautiful!

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  5. Oh Rachel, these are all fabulous cards! I don’t own any of these stamps but now seriously considering several of them! That typewriter with the two colors of embossing is just amazing! So well done! Thanks for giving us the details on your processes!

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  6. Oh goodness your cards are absolutely gorgeous! And so many sets I have never seen before! (I am now rushing over to Unity to add to my cart!) I had no idea that you could emboss with Versafine ink and love the technique you used. You always give me new ideas to try!

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  7. Oh goodness your cards are absolutely gorgeous! And so many sets I have never seen before! (I am now rushing over to Unity to add to my cart!) I had no idea that you could emboss with Versafine ink and love the technique you used. You always give me new ideas to try!

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  8. A wonderful array of pretty card using this lovely color combo. I love the simple elegance of card #2.

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  9. Love your cards. Good Day Sun Shine is my favorite! I only have one of the stamps you used (Wildflower) and I really like how you used it.

    Linda Abel

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  10. I LOVE all of these – you really were a busy bee this month! The second one is a great card for birthdays and you totally inspired me!

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  11. WOW!!! You are so creative!! Amazing techniques!!! Stamps I had forgotten I has, too!
    I loved each card, and plan to case #3 (my favorite) but Wowza, like Carol said

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  12. Oh my goodness, Rachel. What an incredible group of cards. I absolutely love how shadowed Good Day Sunshine. I have never seen that stamp! So impressive as always!

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  13. Wow Rachel, you always impress me with your multitude of card designs but these really stand out with the black, white and kraft color combo. LOVE that first one , which is so unique and artsy.

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  14. Rachel, I absolutely love your first card! It is definitely eye catching with your fabulous design. I love how you put the typewriter at an angle on the last card. Another attention grabber! Great cards!

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  15. Your cards are so amazing and it’s hard to pick a favorite. I just love the silhouettes, but the floral cards are gorgeous!

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  16. Gorgeous cards and amazing techniques. Great stamps and some I hadn’t seen before. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  17. You do such an amazing job of making such different and distinct looking cards using the same color scheme. Well done!!

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